Following a short preparatory period, SV Werder are set to begin the second half of the season away at VfL Bochum on Sunday, 14.01.2024, 15:30 CET. Werder want to build on their performances before the winter break in the clash against the side level on points with them, whilst they are also keen to open up a small gap on their direct rivals. Werder’s head-to-head record against Bochum gives them reason to hope for a positive result.
On the squad: Ole Werner will have to do without Milos Veljkovic amongst others for the game in Bochum. The defender has been forced to sit this game out due to knee problems, but Werder’s head coach is not expecting it to be a long-term absence. Additionally, Amos Pieper (broken ankle) and Leon Opitz (ruptured ankle ligament) are both still doing rehabilitation work and are not available for SVW. Nicolai Rapp is still doubtful for the game and it’s not clear whether the midfielder will travel to Bochum following his absence. A decision will be made following the final training session on Saturday.
The head coach on the opposition: “The atmosphere will make it an amazing game. The stadium is very claustrophobic. Bochum are very strong at home, which means it’s going to be a really tough task. The fans will spur them on. It’s important that we go into the match with the confidence that we had last year.”
Previous meetings: Werder’s head-to-head record against Bochum is really good. SVW have won 46 out of 73 previous meetings, with Bochum winning just ten of those games. Werder don’t have a better head-to-head record against any other Bundesliga side, which is also due to the fact that Werder are unbeaten in nine games away at Bochum. Ole Werner’s side’s last win away at VfL was a 2-0 victory last season. Meanwhile, Marco Friedl, Leonardo Bittencourt and Co. secured a 3-0 win in the return fixture – this was the only time that Werder kept clean sheets in both the home and away games against a single opponent last season.
Remaining unbeaten: SVW are unbeaten in three games thanks to the win against FC Augsburg (2-0 win), as well as the draws against Borussia Mönchengladbach (2-2 draw) and RB Leipzig (1-1 draw). A positive result in Bochum would represent a first for Werner in the Bundesliga: It would be the first time that his side have gone four games without defeat since getting promoted back to the Bundesliga.
